Reel Suggestions?

[Chucker]

OK, got my first two seasons on ice under the belt.  The one thing I've discovered so far is that it seems like every reel I've used has two problems - narrow spool yielding too many coils, and incredibly crappy drag.

I hereby solicit the opinions of my esteemed comrades on IS for a panfish reel that minimizes coils, and has a drag that will stand up to the occasional monster pickerel or passing bass.

Oh, price isn't necessarily an issue, as I will gladly break it in on summer smallmouth in the creek behind the house.

[MBurke]

Hi Chucker....I,m no expert on them but...I got one last year thats pretty sweet. Its a Shimano Sedona 750. Nice and smooth with a great drag. And not real pricey..$49  Hope this helps   

[Mr.Seaguar]

I use the Diawa Caprice 500 reels. I bought one and liked it so much I bought 2 more. Now I got them on my main two poles with a spare. Next time I will probably get the more expensive more bearing model. These were $39 apiece. They work great for me, drag very nice, maybe not Tica cetus nice but pretty close. And it isnt going to die after 2 seasons either. Abu Garcia makes nice reels also. I use them in summer some, not a whole for ice.

[Trophy Hunter]

Mr. Seaguar that makes me happy you said that I just picked up a caprice 1000. It sure looks and feels nice!!

[Fishrmn]

Last year I picked up three Diawa Laguna 1000s.  Spare spool, infinite drag, nice reels.  $60 each.  I think I'll get another one or two this year.

Fishrmn

[Bob_D]

Both the Daiwa and Shimano's are great choices. I have a couple of the cheaper Okuma's bot I needed to repack the main bearing with a low temp grease so they would not bind up in the cold.

[jacksmelt71]

ive got 2 shakespere sigmas on both my rods. though not as smooth as some of the more pricey reels they have a good drag and for $18 a piece at walmart the price is right.

[iowaboy]

Tica Cetus 500 series. LF,GV,SB & SS price goes up with the numbers of bearings. The Abu Garcia 100U is a pretty good reel too.

Iowaboy

[Swift]

Have a few expensive Shimanos and love them. Picked up a couple of Zebco Slab Seekers at BassPro last winter. The drag isn't quite as good as the more expensive reels but more than adequate for the panfishing I do and surprisingly smooth. Best part is that the spool has 2 settings buttons for going back to the same depth. Usually set one on the bottom, then when a fish strikes while working the column you set the other one so you can get back to the exact depth of the strike. Never had a problem with it in the cold. A gimmick? Probably, but one that seems to work and I like. Drawback? A tad bit large (it's a light not ultra-light) but OK and only one spool. $17. Swapped over completely to them for this season. Saving the Shimanos for panfish and smallies in open water.